Extreme Travel

Daring escape for the brave

Relive a World War II soldier's gruelling flight from Malaya in Chapman's Challenge

Roughly recreating the escape route taken by Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman, the challenge includes a 2.4km trail trek (above) and is open to children.
Roughly recreating the escape route taken by Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman, the challenge includes a 2.4km trail trek (above) and is open to children. PHOTO: PANGKOR LAUT RESORT
Roughly recreating the escape route taken by Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman, the challenge includes a 2.4km trail trek and is open to children (above).
Roughly recreating the escape route taken by Colonel Freddy Spencer Chapman, the challenge includes a 2.4km trail trek and is open to children (above). PHOTOS: PANGKOR LAUT RESORT, SAMANTHA LEE
Every year, Mr Christopher Spencer Chapman (above), youngest son of the World War II veteran who inspired Chapman's Challenge, flags off the race in Pangkor Laut.
Every year, Mr Christopher Spencer Chapman (above), youngest son of the World War II veteran who inspired Chapman's Challenge, flags off the race in Pangkor Laut. PHOTO: PANGKOR LAUT RESORT
Pangkor Laut.
Pangkor Laut. PHOTO: SAMANTHA LEE
Leslie Koh
Updated
Jun 16, 2019, 10:58 AM
Published
Jun 16, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Most races start and end rather ignominiously. Arrive early and you get the snaking queues for baggage deposits and slimy portaloos, followed by a long wait in a pen filled by the crush of sweaty bodies.

And unless you are one of the top 10 to finish, there is usually little more than a quick flash of cameras and more queues for the obligatory finisher T-shirt, medal, lukewarm isotonic drink and a banana.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 16, 2019, with the headline Daring escape for the brave. Subscribe

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